1 Peter 2:11
“Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
Times haven’t changed. There are plenty of those who charge that they won’t go to church because of the hypocrites. They charge that the attenders claim a godly life, but live differently. This could be the case. Becoming a christian doesn’t mean one is perfect. Some live a double life. That’s unfortunate. Jesus said that they wheat and the tares (weeds) will grow together.
Why do they care? There are many reasons. One that seems prominent is that they don’t want to change their lives. They are comfortable with their habits. Becoming a christian may mean a change is lifestyle. Many don’t want to do that. So, they see christians who are imperfect and they claim that the faith doesn’t work.
Peter is charging the believers to live above reproach. Don’t give onlookers any excuse to criticize the faith. We are to be careful with our actions. We want to be good witnesses for Christ. We want our lives to be attractive. Ones that others want to emulate. That is the higher goal. The least we are to do is to not live badly.
The end of the verse references the second coming of Christ. Philippians 2:9-11 says that one day every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is lord. Those that follow Christ will bow willingly, while those that opposed Him will bow out of compulsion. Today’s passage refers to the unbelievers glorifying God. It will not be done from a joyful heart. But they will be admitting the truth. The faith that they ridiculed will be validated.
Hopefully the example of our lives will convince a doubter to bow their knee willingly in this life. To surrender to Christ and receive His forgiveness.
Lord, help us to live a life You would be proud of. Help us when we stumble. Draw those who yet do not know You.